AUGUSTA — A neighborhood in Hephzibah was overcome with grief Sunday after a Richmond County dive team found the body of an 8-year-old missing child in an in-ground pool.

Just hours earlier, a group of 15 Hunter's Mill residents had combed the woods and streets in search of Jon Stevens.

Stevens was reported missing about 9:30 p.m. Saturday by his mother, Jeanette Stevens, who told deputies her son had been swimming with friends at a neighbor's house at 4610 Hunter's Mill Court, but had not been seen for several hours.

According to a statement released by the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Jon Stevens was found about 1:30 a.m. Sunday by divers in the neighbor's pool. The family declined comment Sunday.

Sgt. Shane McDaniel, a spokesman for the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, said Sunday night deputies continue to investigate and should know more this morning -- including whether criminal charges might be

filed -- after consulting with the district attorney.

The divers' discovery came after neighbors and a half-dozen deputies searched four hours, using flashlights and an intercom system to alert residents that a boy was missing.

Mayfield's brother, Cody Mayfield, told Channel 2 that his brother walked out of the bar to help a man who had too much to drink, and once outside, was beaten and kicked unconscious.

"He tried to avoid the situation," Cody Mayfield told the station. "One hit him and he tried to run away to get away from the situation, because he was outnumbered, and as another man hit him from the side, he fell and hit the concrete."

On Saturday, Villa Rica police charged Gene Norris, Michael Baldwin and Greg Rainwater with aggravated assault and battery, Channel 2 reported. The three were being held without bond.

3 unhurt as bullets pelt house

AUGUSTA — Three Augusta residents escaped a drive-by shooting unharmed Sunday, when the passengers of an unidentified vehicle fired as many as 13 bullets at a home on Dahlia Drive.

Three of the bullets entered the front window and one fell inside the dining room of the home at 2947 Dahlia Drive when the gunfire broke out about 4:08 a.m., according to a Richmond County Sheriff's Office incident report.

Sheriff's deputies recovered 13 9-mm shell casings from the road in front of the house. Gunfire also damaged two vehicles parked on the street -- a 1993 Lexus and a 1997 Ford Explorer.

Investigators determined that the suspect vehicle had been travelling south on Dahlia Drive.